Automatic electric coupling mechanism for car-line circuits.



I. S. DOYLE & F. HEDLEY. AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COUPLING MECHANISM FOR CAR LINE CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27, I9I2.

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

w .T w 13% F A- In H \m I .IIII 0 x L vb-Inca es:

I I. s. DOYLE &.F. HEDLEY. AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COUPLING MECHANISM FOR CAR LINE CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27, I9IZI Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2'.

31C. mar-M Patented Dec. 28,, 1915. mums-sum 3.

DOYLE & F. HEDLEY.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.27 I9I2.

1 z iw AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC COUPLING MECHANISM FOR CAR LINE CIRCUITS.

county of Westchester, and Mount 'lVestchester county, and State of New -UMTED sTATns Parana neuron JAMES S. DOYLE, OF Y ON KERS, AND FRANK HEDLEY, OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, .ASSIGNORS TO THE WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENN- SYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC EIOIOOTRIC OOUPLING MECHANISM FOR CABFLINE CIRCUITS.

Patented Dec. as, rare.

Application filed January 27, 1912. Serial No. 673,740

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that we, JAMES S.-Dovnn and Fnaxn Hnnnnr, both citizens of the United States, residin respectively. at Yonkers, Vernon, York, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Automatic Electric Coupling Mechanism for Car-Line Circuits, of which the following is a specifi "ation.

- This invention relates to automatic electric coupling mechanism for car line Cir.-

cuits.

The object of the invention is to provide a coupling mechanism for car line circuits which is simple inconstruction, automatic and efficient in action, and whereby, when cars are coupled or uncoupled, or a car is added to a train, or removed therefrom, the car line circuits carried by the coupled up, added or removed car or automatically coupled up electrically to, or are uncoupled from, the car line circuits of the next adjacent car, the coupling up of the circuits be ing accomplished in the proper relation of the circuits.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coupling mechanism of the character referred to which is housed and protected from the ingress of dirt, rain, snow or the like, when the coupling mechanism 1s not in use, that is, the coupling mechanism which is ,at the exposed ends of the coupled up cars, such as the rear end of the rear car, or the front end of the front car of the train.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a coupling mechanism of the char-' acter referred to which prevents the coupling ,up of cars until the coupling mechanisni is placed in proper condition therefor,

thereby insuring a proper connection and extension to the car and added car line circuits when such car is added to a train, and preventing a car from being coupled up or added to a train without properly coupling up electrically the car line circuits of the cars.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby one or more of the car line circuits may. be closed at the front end of the front car or the rear end. of'the rear car of a train and opened only when. another car is coupled up to either of said ends. i

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially .in

the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will. be

more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,"igure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section, showing the automatic line circuit couplingmechanism,

embodying our invention andin coupled up relation. Fig. 2 is an end elevation, oft-he coupling mechanism for one end of a car looking toward the plane indicated by line 22, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 33, Fig, 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. l is ,a view in side elevation otthe coupling mechanism designed to beplaced on the proximate ends of adjacent carsthe side housing. o one coupling being removed, andshowing the coupllg mechanisms separated but in condition ready t Fig 5 i. a view ll)? longitudinal horizontal section of a coupling in 'hanism showing the pojecting hood or Zhield in lowered position. Fig. (3 is a view in vertical transverse section on the line 6-6, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. '7 a detail view in perspecthre of an operating slide employed in connection with the coupling mechanism. 'Fig. 8 is a view in perspective of the coupling mechanism. Figs. 9, 1O, 11, 12. 13, 1+ and 1 are detail views of variims parts ot-the contact carrier.

Thesamc part is designated by thesame reference sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views. p

' In the practical operation of modern elecitric or other cars. and especially in the op eration of the nmltiple unit system of car trains, a large number of train line circuits are retpiired for the various operations, the

be maintained throughout the entire train.

be coupled together.

' Thus, numerous Wires are required to extend throughout each car for the motor control mechanism. Other wires are essary o each car for the control of clu pneumatic or other form of clectri by comrolled brake and door operating mechanisms. Circuit wires are also required for the signal system, for the compressor or pump operation, and for various other pur poses. It will be seen that since each car of the multiple unit system must have the same equipment 'of line wire circuits to enable a car to be added to a train, or. to. be independently operated, as desired, it is necessary that the varioustrain line wires or circuits throughoutthe train be properly coupled up between adjacent. cars, or between the proximate ends of adjacent cars, and in the proper order of relation, otherwise'the integrity of the circuitsthroughout the train of carswould be interrupted and hence there would be a failure to effect the proper train or our operations which I are dependent upon the integrity of the circuits throughoutthc entire train. It will also be seen that where a large number of train line wires or circuits are required, the coupling of the circuits between proximate ends of adjacent ears becomes a mat ter of very serious importance,,since an improper coupling up of one or more of the line circuits might produce disastrous results in the operation of the train. Moreover, without the operation of vautomatic means for accomplishing the proper coupling up of the, train line circuits dependence must be placed-upon the care and attention of the train operators in making the couplings. This may. lead to equally disastrous results through inattentiomcarelessness or ignorance on the part of those employed to effect the couplings. Again, where automatic coupling mechanism is employed, there is the danger of access of dirt, rain, snow or the like to the coupling mechanism, and particularly where employed in exposed positions, which are liable to cause trouble or to materially interfere wvith the integrity of one or more of the, Again where the coutrain line circuits. pling operation is accomplished automatically throughout, the danger is Incurred of some of the parts of the coupling mechanism not being in the proper relation at the time the coupling is effected. with a consequent failure to accomplish the coupling up of the circuits in their proper relatlon. Again, in the case of certain train operations, such for instance, as in the signaling system, the integrity ofthe circuit throughout-the train requires that the circuit be closed at the rear end of the rear car of the train. Under these circumstances, when another car is added to a train it is necessary to open the signaling circuit at therear end of the rearcar of the train, when the other car is added thereto, so as to extend the in tc grity of, this circuit to the rear eodof the added car, otherwise cars might be added to a train without extendingthe integrity of .the signaling circuit, thereby making it possible to operate the signal to start the train before the added, or other cars through which the signaling circuit has not beencomple'ted, are ready for the train to start, thereby making possible serious if not fatal accidents I It is among the special purposes of our present invention to rovide an automatic coupling mechanism or train line circuits which accomplishes the foregoing and other advantageous results, and which avoids the objections noted, as well as others which constantly arise in the practical operation of electric train service. i

In carrying out our invention we pro se to mount on eachendof each cara coupling mechanism, suitably housed in for protection against dirt, snow, rain or thelike, and which embodies automatic features adapted to cooperate with'the coupling mechanism on the proximate end of the adjacent car when the two cars are Brought together to be oupled up, whereby the integrityof the various car line wires or circuits is extended from'the one to the other car and in proper relation with respect to each other.

In order to insure the-proper operation.

of the couplingmechanisms, when the car ends are coupled up, and in order 'toinsure a proper relation of the cooperating parts of the coupling mechanisms themselves, we pro-pose to. employ means which requires manual manipulation before the electric car line automatic coupling'mechanisms can be made effective. In other words, under n'ormal conditions, .the line circuit coupling mechanism at each end-of'each car is inaccessible to the 'couplingjmechanism on the proximate end of the adjacent car until one or the other of said mechanisms is placed manually in condition for cooperation with the ether. a

In the accompanying drawings'we have shown asimple and practical operative em-' bodiment of means for carrying'outthe objects and purposes of our invention, but

We wish it to be understood tha't many variations therefrom, and changes. 1n the details thereof, mightireadil'y occur to persons skilled in the art. andstill-fall within the spiritand scope of,-our invention as defined in -the claims. Ve do not desire therefore. to be limited or restricted to the par.- ticular embodiment which we have selected for the purposes of illustrating our invention. 1

In the drawing 20 designates the inmomma tomatic coupling. For convenience of manu'lacture, we prefer to employ ashell made in halves or sections :ulapted' to be suitably screwed or bolted together to tor-iii an iuclosed chamberJ ,l pon each side oi "the shell, are mounted the housings 3,1, providing a slidenvay extending lengthwise of the shell on the exterior thereof. Operating edgewise \\'itliineacli housing chamber is an operatingslide 22. This slide is shown in detached perspective in Fig. 7, audio opera tion these operating slides move longitudinally through the housing chambers exterior of the sides oi the shell 20. ,Suitably mounted in the sides of the shell are the pivot bolts 23, upon which are pivotally supported side arms ofthe hood or cover 24, adapted when in closed position to cover the outermost, or open end of the casing to protect the electric contact plates and mechanism within the. chamber of the shell against. ingress of dirt, rain, snow or the like, while at the sametime preventing the possibility of effecting a coupling up therewith of the coupling mechanism on an adjacent carquntil the cover is raised. The closed position of the cover we may refer to as its normal position when the coupling mechanism is not in use for coupling up to the adjacent car.

It may be desirable to close one or more of the car line circuits, in the coupling mechanism, only whenthe cover 2d is in its normai or closed position, and to open said circuit by the'act of raising the cover; this 'is desirabie in the case of the signaling cir- .cuihfor instance. To accomplish this result, we connect a contact device 25, to move with the cover 24., as. shown in the right hand portion of Fig. i, which contact cooperates with a finger 26, suitably connected electrically through wire 27, with the car'wire line of the signaling circuit, arid adapted to close this circuit when the contact 25, and fingerQG, are brought into bearing relation with each other, and to be opened when said contact and linger are separated, the relation being such, that the contact and finger arebrought into bearing relation only when the cover is closed, and are separated when the cover is raised will be clearly lllKltl'SlOOtldtY reference to Fig. 4. This arrangement enables the naling circuit to be closed at the rear end of the rear-car of a train, thereby establishing the integrity of that circuit throughout the train, and,consequently requiring, for

instance, the closing of all doors of the train before the signalingcircuit is completed to the motormau. It alsoxinsures the extension of the signaling circuit to another car when such other car is added to the train, since, as will be understood, the

on the any suitable or convenient manneras,

cover must be raised when such other car is coupled up or added to the train.

The cover 24, is provided with bosses or projections 28, at the sides thereof, adaptei'l to work within a cam groove or slot 25) in the ope at-ing'slides 22. The bosses :28 on the cover, are'so positioned with reference to the axis 23 of the cover, as clearly shown, that when an operating slide 22, 1s shifted endwise in the housing chamber from its normal outermost position, as seen at the left hand side of Fig. 4 toward the inner end of the housing chamber, that 18, toward the position indicated at the right hand of Fig. l, and at both ends of Fig 1, the cover 2 1 is rotated or swung from lts closed. to its raised or open position.

Various means may be employed for slufting the operating slide 22 from its normal or outermost position. e have shown a simple arrangement for accon'iplishing this result by the act of coupling up or bringing the ends of employ an alining plate onlink 30. The placing of this plate in positlon to perform its function of shifting an operating slide 22involves the manual operation above re-- ferred to. When it is desired to couple up two cars, or to add a car to a train, the cover 24 of the coupling mechanism on the end of one of the cars is raised by hand or manual manipulation, and an alining plate or link 30 is inserted edgewise in one or the other of the housing chambers of the-coupling mechanism, and is fastened therein in for instance, by inserting a pin or stud laterally through a boss 31 on the outer surface of the housing 21, on one side or the other of the shell, and into a corresponding hole in the alining link. This involves the manual operation, above indicated, of raising the cover, inserting the alining plate into the housing chamber, and securing it therein, withthe end of the alining link projecting outwardly from the shell or casing, and in position to enter or to be, received lengthwise in the corresponding housing chamber of the shell or casing on' the proximate end of'the adjacent car. It will be understood that the covers, 24,'d0 not extend over the outer opening of the housing chambers, which are open to receive the alining links,

but when a link is to be manually, inserted,

the cover of the coupling member is also .raised manually in order to facilitate the insertion of the linln To facilitate the entrance of the projecting end of the alining link into the housing chamber of the coupling mechanism on the adjacent car, and to insure such entry, not- Wvitlmtanding the ends of'the cars may not be in exact line. with ach other. we prefer to form the pr0 ect1ng end of the alining link tapering, as clearly shown in the drawings. With the alining link thus secured in the housing chamber of one of the couunderstood of course, that while we have provided an operating slide on eachside of the casing of each coupling mechanism, in the operation of the device it is necessary to shift only one of these operating slides;

that is, it is necessary to apply power to effect the shifting to only one of the slides.

, Therefore, only one alining plate is emplayed. Carried by each operating slide 22, is a pin 32, which extends through a slot'33, in-the side walls of the shell or casing. This pin 32, of one of the slides operates in a slot 34 in .the end of a link 35' mounted at one side of the casing. The travel of pin 32 that is, the travel of the slide 22 is greater than the length of the .slot 34, in link 35, as clearly indicated at the left hand portion of Fig. 4, so that when the operating slide 22, begins its shifting movement to the left in effecting a coupling of cars, the pin 32, rides freely through.

slot 34, without performing any function with reference to link 35. During the pre-- liminary movement, however, the cover, 24,

is partially raisedby the movement of the projection, 28, in the cam slot, 29, of the slide. Before the pin'32' reachesthe limit of its travel toward the left, itenga'ges the inner wall of slot 34, thereby andthereaftgr causing link 35 to be shifted endwiseboinora; dently with the continuation of the move? ment of pin 32 and the slideplate 22, which car starting signal circuits as above exc rries it. The link 35'is connected to one arm 36, of a bell crank lever, the other .arm 37 of which supports the contact carrier indicated generally by reference numeral 38, the bell crank lever referredto, being pivoted as at 39. Thus whenthe bell crank arm 36 is rocked the contact.carrier 38,- is lowered from the position indicated in dotted lines at the left hand end of Fig. 4,

into the position shown in full lines at the left hand end of Fig. 1, the cover 24 being simultaneously and coincidently raised to its full open position. When the contact carrier 38 is lowered into the position shown in full-lines in Fig. 1, proper circuitlconnections are completed between the cafllne c1rcuits of the cars being coupled.

When the operating slide 22 is again contact carrier, and the lowered the hood or cover are the norma positions of these parts, it is desirable that these moved outwardly in the housing chamber, or from the position thereof as shown in the left hand portion of Fig. 1, toward the po sition indicated in the left hand portion of Fig. 4, the pin 32 on the operating slide travels idly through the slot 34 in the end of l1nk 35 without performing any function with reference to said link. When the pin 32 reaches the limit of slot 34 the continued travel of the pin 32 causes the, link 35 to be shifted endwise thereby again ro king the arm 36 of the bell cranklever which carriesthe contact carrier 38, thereby again rocking the contact carrier into raised posito be lowered into its normal or closed position over the end of the casing. I v

It is desirable to provide means for returning the operating slide 22, to its normal advanced carrier raised and the hood or cover 24 lowered, and since the raised position of the parts berestored automatically to their normal positions after having been operated in 'efi'ectinga coupling up of the cars. In one form of means for accomplishing this urpose, we connect one of the ends of sec of arms 40 to the pins 32 of" the operating slides, the other ends of these arms being swiveled upon a rod or bolt 41, upon which is carried a suitable retracting spring 42,

see Fig. 3, the arrangement being such that when the operating slide '22" is moved in osition to maintain the contact 1 osition of wardly into the housing chamber such 1nove ment is against the tension of spring 42,

which: tends 'to restore the operating slide to its normal or outermostposition. This return-1s necessary in orderto' complete the plained, and in case the cover and contact carrier are not automatically restored to v U in both sides of a coupling mec anismwhich would prevent a coupling operation being madew-To accomplish this result, we employ a locking bar 43, arranged to extend transversely through the shell or casing chamber with the ends thereof projecting through slots in the side walls of the shell and into a slot 44, formed in the'operatmg slides as most clearly shown'm Figs. 3, 5, 6

]tlie ends thereof clear the shoulders 46 of by the lugs 51 is 51 "slottedas indicated at 5 5,

' to engage the "washer the operating'slides so that either of-said slides is free to be shifted. When one of said slides is shifted however, the inclined surface 45, of recess 44,; engages the corresponding .end of lock-ingbar 43, thereby shifting the latter longitudinally and in a direction transverse to the length of the shell or casing. and,

into the deepest portion ofthe recess 44:, in

,its associated operating slide, and i-nt,o poance with our 1I1V&I1 fiiOn"W employ convenient means for normally maintaining the locking bar in central position. One arrangement" for accomphshmg this result 15 shown wherein a casting is inserted through the bottom wall of the shell andhas or attached thereto, lugs 51, see Figs. i 3 and 5, suitably spaced apart transversely of the casing or shell. Carried pin 52 upon which is mounted a spring 53, held in compression between said lugs. Inter-posed between each lug and the adjacent end of the spring is a movable washer 54, the washers being capable of free movement along the rod or pin The locking bar-43 is longitudinally. the lugs 51 6X1 tending through said slot The slot 55 is formed with a shoulder 56 at each end thereof, adapted when the locking baris shifted endwise in one direction or the other,

54 at that-endof the side of the casing which formed thereon,

pin 52, nearest that I contains the operating.slide through the movements of'whi'ch the loching lever is shifted. By this arrangement it Wl'll beseen that whenthe lockin bar is shifted in either direction into position to form a lock for one of the operating slides the shifting movements .of said bar .are against the action of; the com ression spring 53, the tension of which isconstantly exerted tending to hold the locking bar in. central position.

We-have above described that each car is equipped vith a line-of train wines or circuits. These line-wires or circuits are suitably conrfectedto spring or other suitable form of contact fingers5S, the wires themselves being indicated at 59. The contact carrier 38, cooperates with the contact fingers 5-8, when twp cars are coupled together and the contact carrier 15 rocked from its raised position, as seen-for instance in- Fig. 4:,into itslowered position as shown v p into position for the other endof the locking bar to be forced side members there are car 01"{121111 line wires or circuits ,to be coupled upfand the contact members of the carrier should be so cross-connected with respect to each other that when two cars arecoupled and the automatic circuitcoupling mechanism thereon are brought into cooperating relation with respect to each other, the wires or-lines on one car are coupled electrically *to the respectively corresponding wires or lines on the other car. The manner of cross-connecting the contact members of the contact carrierto accomplish 'this result is a matter of workshop practice and will be readily understood and comprehended by those skilled in the art.

The contact carrier and its associated parts may be of any suitable or convenient or desired construction and arrangement. We have showna simple and efiicient construction thereof, the various details being indicated in. Figs. 9 to 15 inclusive. The carrier which, as above indicated, we have designated generally by reference'numeral 38, comprises sidemembers 37, one of which forms the arm of the bell-crank lever through-which the carrier is operated. The 37 on opposite sides of the chamber of the shell carry the rods or bolts 61(52 upon which are strung the insulating separators and are shields" as well as the contact portions or members. The contact members comprise metal electrically conducting plates-63. These plates are pro- -vided with extending lugs (H,"see Fig. 9, to facilitate the proper electrical cross-connections thereof. Each plate (33, is also proof two adjacent cars are brought together and the automatic coupling mechanism is operated it is obvious that While the coupling mechanism oneach carat the ends thereof which come together, contains a contact carrier, the contact carrier. only on one car will be operated, that is, the alining will be inserted in the member or link 30 coupling mechanism on only one of the cars andthat member will then actuate the cou-' pling mechanism onthe other car so that on of the contact carriers 38 will remain retracted andinactive while the contact car-l vrier of the other coupling mechanism will be operated. If the alining link is inserted at the side to engage with and hold the slide which is not connected with the link, 35, as indicated at the right in Fig. 4, the contact carrier will remain in its retracted posltion,

as shown, but. the alining link will then operate to engage the-slide of the counterpart coupling, which El is connected 'with its link, 35, and move the contact carrier of its coupling member forward into its active position when the adjacent cars are brought togetherfor coupling. If, however, the alining link be inserted at the .side having the connecting-link, 35, the act of raising the cover and inserting the alining link will cause the slide to move inward and actuate the link, 35, so as to throw the contact carrier forward to its operative position ready to make contact with the electric contact plates of the other coupling member. 'lhen when the two cars are brought together, the alining link engages the slide of the-other coupling member and raises the cover as before described, but does not actuate the con- =rated by intervening separator insulating I, lates 68, and insulatini shield plates 69.

tact carrier. It will also be obvious that a contact finger 58 of one coupling mechanism will not necessarily be placed in electrical communication with the contact finger 58 of the other coupling mechanism which lies directly opposite it, since the line wire circuits of the one coupling mechanism do not necessarily :come directly opposite the same line wire circuits of the other coupling mechanism. This is the reason why the contact plates 63 are required to be crossconnected' The contact plates 63 are sepahe function of the shield plates 69.is to prevent arcing between adjacent contact fingers, and to furnish creeping surface distance between adjacent contacts; the shield plates being of greater length than the separator plates'GS. The contact flanges 65 of the contact plate 63 extend over the edges of the separator plates 68, as clearly shown.

Two sets of contact'plates, separator plates, and shield plates are employed, one set being carried by the rod- 61,- and the other by a rod 62 as clearly shown.

\Vhile we have shown and described a spe cific structure of contact mechanism, our invention as defined in the claims is not to be limited or restricted in respect to the con struction shown and described.

Frf'm the foregoing description, it will be seen that we provide a simple automatic electric coupling mechanism for the ends oi cars which is normally housed and incloscd against access of dirt, dust, rain, snow or the tion' in "order to-permit the car ends to be :coupled together. In other words, the cars like,( and.iwhich requires manual manipulb cannot be coupled together unless and until the housing cover 24 of the coupling mechanismat the end of one of the cars to be coupled up is raisedand the act of coming together of the car endsto be'coupled together, after the manugl attention referred to has the other coupling member, and the proper in proper order to extend-the integrity of each circuit to the added or coupled on' car; It will also be seen that in uncoupling the u cars the cover on the cou lingImecha-nism of been given, effects the raising of the cover of i electrical coupling of the car line circuits and r one. of the uncoupled on s Wlll be automaticall closed while that on'the other uncou ple end will remain raised as long as the I link so remains therein, but since the starting signal circuit cannot be coupled on'that car until said cover is lowered attention will at once'be called'to the failure to remove the link by a failure to give astarting signal;

We have above referred to the cross-connections of contact members or plates 63. The separator and shield insulating plates 68-69 are provided with registering recesses 70 to accommodate these cross-com nections.

It is believed that the operation of the apparatus will be fully understood from the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The casing or shell containing the 0011- pling mechanism above described is designed to .be supported in any suitable or convenient position at the end of the car.

In practice We may support the shell or casing yieldingly so as to prevent breakage mechanism for cars, a shell or casing, coupling mechanism mounted therein, a cover for the shell or casing, the coupling mechanism' being normally retracted out 01E operative position when the COVGIlS closed, and means operated by the bringing together of car ends to couple the cars, for raising-the cover and actuating the coupling mechanism. 1

2. Inan automatic electrical coupllhg mechanism for c'ars, a shell or casing, contact devices mounted therein and normally mally retaining the Ioperative relation,

rier for moving the latter, and ried by the proximate end of an adjacent heldout of operative relation, an operating shde arranged within the casing and adapted when actuated to move the contact de vices into Operative relation, andya fixedv projection-carried by the proximate end of an adjacent car to be coupled up, operating when the car ends are brought together to actuate said slide.

3. In an automatic ,electrical mechanism for cars, a shell or casing, movable contact devices mounted therein and normally held out of operative relation, fixed contacts also mounted inisaid casing, means for bringing said contact devices into operative relation, and operating devices carried by the proximate end of an adjacent car, and operative when the car ends are brought together, for actuating said contact moving-means.

'4. In an automatic electrical couplingv 5. In an automatic electrical coupling mechanism for cars, a casing, a movable contact mechanism arranged therein. and normally held out of operative relation, a movable cover for the casing, and means carried by the proximate end. ot'an adjacent car adapted when the car ends are brought together to be coupled up, tomove the cover and shift the contact carrier into operative relation. e

(i. In an mechanism for cars, rier pivotally mounted vwithin said casing, an operating slide therefor, means for norcontact carrier out of and a fixed projection carried by the proximate end of an adjacent car adapted brought together to be coupled up, to engage said operating slide to rock the. carrier into operative relation. V

7. In an automatic electrical coupling mechanism for cars, a casing, a movable con: tact carrier arranged therein and normally held out of operative relation, an operating member, lost motion connections between said operating member and the contact carmeans carautomatic electrically *coupled car, adapted, when the car ends are brought together to be coupled up to engage said operating member and actuate the same.

8. In an automatic electrical coupling mechanismfor cars, a casing, a movable contact carrier arranged therein, amovable cover for the casing, an operating member a casmg,a contact carwhen the, car ends are arranged Within the casing, connections be tween the said operating member and contact carrier and cover, whereby \Yhcn the operating member is moved, the cover is shifted and the contact carrier moved into operative relation, and means carried by the proximate end o't'v an adjacent car adapted when the car ends are brought together to be coupled up to said operating memben to actuate the sa me.

- ain, an automatic electrical coupling mechanism for cars, a casing, a movable contact carrier arranged therein, a cover for the casing, an operating member associated with the casing, connections be'fiv'een the operating member and the cover for shifting the latter, lost motion connections between the operat ing member and the contact carrier for mov ing the latter into operatingrelation, and means carried by the proximate endgof an adjacent car adapted when the car ends are brought together, to be coupled upjto engage the operating member to actuate the same.

10. In an automatic electrical coupling mechanism for cars, a casing, a mo able contact carrier arranged therein and having contacts for engaging corresponding contacts oi: the counterpart coupler, an operat ing member connected to said carrier to move the same, means for yieldingly resisting the operation of said operating member, and a. fixed projection carried by the proximate endof an adjacent car adapted when the car ends are brought together to be couled up, to engage said operating member to move the same against said resisting means. I

11. In anautomatie 'electrical coupling mechanism for cars, acasing, a movable car rier arranged therein, a cover for the casing, an operating member connected to said cover and carrier to move them, means for yieldingly resisting the operation of said operating member, and means carried by the proxi-' mate end of an adjacent car adapted, when the car ends are brought together, to be cou- .pled up to engage said operating member and move the same. against the action of said resisting means.

12. In an automatic electrical coupiing mechanism for cars, a casing, contact niechanism arranged therein, a cover for said casing, an operating member having a cam'slot,

means carried by the cover to engage in said slot, whereby when said operating member is moved, said cover is'shitted, and means carried by the proximate end ot-"an adjacent ca adapted,when the car ends'are brought together, to be coupled up, to engage and move said operating member.

13. In an automatic electrical coupling mechanism, for cars, a casing, contacts arranged therein, a cover for the casing, an operating member for the cover and having cam slot, means connected to the cover-for engagement with said slot, means for yieldthe'car-ends are brought together to be cou- "pled up, to engage said operating member resisting means.

mechanism for cars, a casing, contact mechanism arranged therein, an operating membeinfor moving said contact mechanismint'o and out of operative relation, a housing chamber in which said operating member opcrates, spring resisting devices connected to the operating member to resist the displace= ment thereof in said chamber, and means carried by the proximate end of an adjacent car adapted, when the car ends 0 together to be coupled up,'to engage'said operating member to move the same against the action of said sprin n, 4

15. In an automatic electrical coupling mechanism for cars, a casing,eontact mechanism arranged therein, a cover for said casing, operating slides for shifting said cover, and means whereby when one of said slides -is operated to shift said cover the other for, housing members arranged on opposite sides of the casing, an operating member arranged within each housing and connected to the cover to shift the same, and means for locking one of said operating members when the other is movedto shift the cover.

' 17. In an automatic electrical coupling mechanism for cars, a casing, contact mechanism arranged therein, a cover for said casing, an operating member arranged on each sideof the casing and each connected to said cover to shift the same when moved,

' cover toshift the same, a locking bar, means for centerin said bar, and means whereb b u when one of said operating members is moved the said locking bar is shifted out of centered position and into locking relation with respect to the other operating member.

15). In an automatic electrical coupling mechanism for cars, a casing, a contact carrier arrangedtherein, and having a crank arm, a rod connected to said crank arm, an

" 'nd move the same against the act on of said 14. In an automatic electrical coupling operating member, engaging connections between sald member and rod whereby when said operating member is moved said contact carrier is moved, means normally operating to resist the movement of saidoper:

ating member, and means carried by the proximate end of an adjacentcar adapted, when the car ends are brought together, to be coupled up, to engageqsaid operating member to move the 'sameagainst the action "ofsa'id resisting means. 20. In an automatic electrical coupling mechanism for cars, a casing, a movable contact mechanism arrangedtherein, an operating member therefor, a housing for said operating member, and an alining member carried by the proximate end= of anadjacent .car and adapted when the, car ends an 'brou ht together to be coupled up, toenter said ousing and engage and move said operatin member,

21. ii an automatic electrical coupling mechanism, for cars, a casing, contact mech-- anismarranged therein, a cover for said casing, an o crating member for said cover, a housing or said operatin member, and an .alining member carriedy the proximate end of'an adjacent car and adapted, when the car ends are brought together to be coupled up to enter, said housing and engage and actuate said operating member.

22. In an automatic electrical coupling mechanism, for cars, a"casing, a contact carrier arranged/therein, a cover. for said casing, an operating member connected to said coverand said carrier, a housing for said operating member, and an alinlng member carried by the proximate end of an adjacent car and adapted when the car ends are brought together to be coupled up to enter operating member.

said housmga'nd engage and actuate said,

23. In an automatic electrical coupling" .niechanism, for cars, a casing, a movable contact mechanism including a contact device, a circuitincluding a cotiperatin contact finger, a cover for said casing, sa' "con tact finger adapted to'be brought into bear- 'ing relation when the cover is in closed position to close said circuit, and means for shifting said cover into'open position to break said circuit.

24. In an automatic electrical coupling mechanism for cars, a casing, a contact.

mechanism arranged therein and including a movable contact, a circuit including a finger adapted to (-voiiperate with the said contact, a cover for the casing operating when moved into closed position to shift said contact into cooperative relation with respect to the finger to close said circuit and when moved into open position to break said circuit, and means carried by the proximate end of an adjacent car, adapted, when the car ends are brought together to be mounted a rioritoullv i of a car contact devices in said casing ihe coming together of the adjacent cu.

coupled or) to the cover lute ogeo. positioiii i 2-5. In on automatic elect-'7' mechanism for cars, the comoinusion oi a: casing adoplecl to he supporiecl u ooii the end of a car CDlTblQll clevices mounted thcre in and norm i l out of operative position, and moons operriiedb v she coming sogelher of the. cou sling of adjacent cars for effect i she movement of the con tact devices oi one couplel only to operative position. .26. In an auomaiic electr cal coupling mechanism for: casing uloptecl end of o car a in suirl casing movable member op sicontact tively connected to carrier, gers mounted in shill casing e116. connected to the respective in means operated by the coming iogeiher of the coupling casings of adjacentzic'suating ssiui movable mem and shifting the contact carrier into I e 'zi'tive l cosition for engaging said C(llflijfi fingers.

527. in an automatic electrical coupli g ire,

me cho'fiism for cars, the combination or casing adapted io be supported upon the end of a, car, a movable contact carrier mounted in a normally inoperative position iii M5 casing, a, inovoblemember operstiveiy con ncct-eil 'to said; carrier, concoct lingers mounted in seicl and connected so i e respective iraiu liiic circuits means actuating saicl IIlOv'llblQ member shift the cools ccarrier to its (u icrative position establish. electrical connection with concscts of: u counterpart couygling mechanism on on adjacent i in an automatic electric coupling iechauism for cars, the combiiic 'ou u casing adorned to be mounted upon the em cover for the casing ancl operate b for shifting said cover to open lositiom 29. in an ousoniclic eleciric' couplin mechanism for cars, tliepouibihulion of" casing adapted. to be "iiiouniiecl on the eucl or a. cur, contact devices in said casing, o cover for the casing, movable member opera. sivcly connccteii with said cover, oiicl nieaus operuliecl by the coming togeth r of ihe infljccenl; cars for actuating ovzible uiezir her to shift saicl cover to its open posiiioii,

30. in an electric coupling mechanism, e 1e combination of a casing adapted to be sup ported at the end or? :1 car, fixed contacts mounted in said casing and connected to ihe respective electric train line circuits, :1 movable contact member also mounted in said casing and noruuilly' held out of operative position, and menus for shifting soul contact member to she opcru'tivc position he esline circuits,

cahlisli electrical connection between said fixecl contacts and the corresponding fixed contscts, of counterpart couplii'igon-l-he eiljucem; car; v

will. in an eleciricsl coupling mechsuism, the combination of a casing having an openlug ils end, fixed concoct-s mounteai in saidcssing ancl connected to the respective elecirie fireiii circuits, 2! movahleconlact' i member also hioiini'cerl iii-said casing and normally hel s. out of operative position, and iueonsfor shil -chic; said contact member to operative position and extemiing *hrough sold opening to establish electrical oiiiieceioo between said fixed. contacts and co ing; fixed. contacts of a counon the :wlj accnl: car.

7 on c. cY-I'l'l coiugliug mechanism, Elation. of a casing adapted to be oi the end of a car, fixedcontects 1. .l in said casing and connected to the res ective electric train line cl cults, a movable coutic't member also mounted in said :iiul norumlly held out of operative posil ion, and means operating automatically upon the cou'i'iog together of the coupling casings of adjacent cu s to shift suicl contact i'iiemher to the operutlre n 'ion to establish electrical connection between said fixed contacts and. the corresponding contacts of the adjacent coupling. i In an electric coupling mechanism the combination of u casing having an opening" {ltiis cud. fixed conlucts mounted in said casing and connected to the respective electrio train line rircui: a movable contact member also mounted in suicl casing and norv molly held out of operative position, a movable cover for said openings, and means for shilling said cover to the open position, and 155 for extending suirl mutiu-t ncuihcr through said opening to establish electrical Conneo tion with the cor cspomliug contacts of a couutcr 'mrt coupling: on the mljucent car.

in un clcctr'u' coupling mechanism, the 119 comhinuliou of u casing having auopening slits mul. lixccl contacts mounted in said casing :uul rouue-rh-il to the respective electric train line circuits. u moruble contact member also mouuloil in suirl casing and normally held out of oporut'ivc position, a movable cover for suili opcuiug. and means operating" uulomuticull v upon the coming iogc iier of i'hrcou' oliug casings of adjacent ours to shill sziirl cover to the 0 Wu position 1 0 and to exicuil Sl'llll couluct mom or through suulbpeniug to establish elcctricul connection with the correspomling contacts of the adjacent coupling.

in on electric coupling 1ncchauism,t he comhiuutiou of a casiug adapted to be supporl'erl at the end of a car, :1 plurality of fiXQll contacts mounted. in said casing, upon opposite sides of a vertical center line and coiiuecceii to she respeotive treiu line Cir 1&0

i .icuits, a movable contact carrier also mountol r hands in the presence of the subscribing ed in Said casing and having a plurality of Witnesses, on this 17th day of January A. D., 10

neontaets cross connected upon opposite sides '1912.

' g of the center,'and meahs for shifting said JAMES S. DOYLE. .5 {contact carrier to the position to establish FRANK HEDLEY. .fe'leetrical,connection with the corresponding Witnesses: I

"contacts of the'adjacent coupling. H. M. Norms, In testimony whereof we have hereunto set S. E. DARBY. 

